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[Siobhan]

Is anyone in Central Illinois who is looking for a cockatoo? Experienced and knows what living with one is really like? We have just about reached our limit. Rocky is too much with both of us working full time and the other birds are getting the short end of the stick. He screams so much and we simply can't spend every minute with him.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Oh so very sorry to hear this. Hope a suitable solution arrives soon.

 

[Scott]

Very sorry to learn Rocky needs a new home. I'm sure you've tried behavior modification, etc.

Hope you are able to find him an excellent new parront.

 

[Freebird1969]

Oh this is so sad, please try working with him, this is the most common reason Cockatoo's get rehomed, this will make the problem even worse. It breaks my heart to hear this

I've not been on this forum for a while, been very busy with work. Please let me try to help you work through his noisy hormonal time. x

 

[Siobhan]

The problem is that with six other birds, who have to live in a separate area of the house because they're so much smaller than he is, don't get any attention if he screams every time we leave his line of sight. One of us has to dance attendance on him constantly or he screams. That makes it impossible to do anything else -- cook supper, go to the bathroom, refill your tea or pop, and most especially, spend time with the little birds. Even if I spend an hour with him in my lap, talking to him and playing with him, the moment I set him down and take a step away, he screams. And if you know 'toos, you know what the full-throated jungle scream is like. It hurts your ears. It gives you a headache. It makes your nerves shatter.

 

[Freebird1969]

OK so it sounds like he has you both well trained – (QUOTE: One of us has to dance attendance on him constantly) This is your first mistake; under no circumstance do you give him attention for being noisy. You must leave the room when he starts, once he goes quite you then go to him and praise him. Another important thing is to make sure he has a routine, i.e. he knows when it’s his time for attention. I don’t know what his cage set up is like, but a nice big cage full of chewable toys to keep him occupied also goes a long way.
I keep a wine box in Oliver’s cage, the ones that hold 6 bottles of wine, I normally double them up so he doesn’t destroy it in seconds, put some old phone books and card board rolls in the bottom. I often hide treats and other toys in it too so he can forage for them. I have to replenish it every day but it works a treat. Kindling wood is great, its safe and easy to put in the box to chew up. I work Monday to Friday so it’s even more important I give him enrichment toys more than most. U2’s also need a lot of sleep, it’s very important he gets his 12 hours a night, a tired cockatoo will be noisy, and just like a young child, full of tantrums, throwing his toys out the pram and impossible to please.
You mention having six other birds, were these birds with you before your Umbrella? Changes in routine, especially other pets new on the scene could also affect his behaviour towards you. I’m not sure where you have him, but Ideally your U2 should be in the main room where you spend most of your time as they do want to be part of the family.

 

[Siobhan]

He's in the living room, while the other birds, for their safety, have their own room and are confined to it. We had them long before Rocky joined the family. He has any number of things to destroy -- wood, cardboard, phone books, junk mail, parrot toys, baby toys, even an old ball cap because he likes to steal ours. He has a play stand in addition to his cage. We can't just let him scream. We tried that and he never, never gets tired. He can scream for an hour without stopping. It hurts our ears and our dog's ears and the neighbors can't hear their TV -- and we have a half-acre lot, so the neighbors aren't exactly on top of us. In fact, you can hear him scream on the next street over. I should think the whole end of town knows we have a cockatoo.

One of the problems here is, he comes from a troubled background. His last two homes -- the only ones we know anything about -- both abused him. He is terrified of things that my other birds don't even glance at. He has separation anxiety because we're the first people he's had for a long, long time who treat him well. And he forgets, sometimes, that we aren't those other people. I've reached out to stroke his head and had him cringe and tremble in fear because he's been hit. He dodges and ducks when we carry things through his field of vision because they threw things at him. Just when we think we've figured out all the things he's afraid of and learned to work around his fear, something new terrifies him. He did finally get used to the broom, but he's afraid of the mop, for example.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Oh my...poor Rocky.....and yet, off to ANOTHER home...of unknown certainty.."Am I going to be hit again?" "who are THESE new humans?? "Where did my old folks go? Why am I here???"

I wish I could find that post someone did awhile back about the bird going "somewhere else" would make you cry...it did me...coz I "had" to rehome Jonesy "the cockatoo man", for EXACTLY the same reasons you give. I understand your plight 120%!!

I wish I could help...




Jim

 

[Puck]

Oh, I am so sorry Siobhan, both for Rocky and for you having to make this decision. I wish I could offer some good advice. I chose to get an RB2 for these very reasons--I think all forms of cockatoos are gorgeous and wonderful, but I knew that there was no other type than the one known for being the most laid back that I would be able to give the kind of care that they need. Even with my RB2 I find myself dedicating hours a day to her to keep her from getting upset and over preening. I also went for a baby rather than adoption because I knew I wouldn't be up to rehabilitating a bird from a broken home. I wish I could give you advice on how to help, but I honestly have no experience in how to reform abused birds. I have had budgies, conures, Quakers, and my RB2, but all of them came to me young or from caring homes.

I know you have probably tried everything, but is there anyway you could hold out a few more months and see if Rocky might settle down again once fall comes along? It is hormone central right now for most birds, so he may be extra bad. I agree that a new home will probably be devastating for your buddy. It sounds like only time (maybe a LOT of time) will solve Rocky's problems, and getting through a few more years might bring you a very loving bird. If not, I am praying that you can find him an experienced home that will be everything he needs!

I feel extra bad because as a former teacher I know that this is much the same as older kids in the foster system. They act out because they know they can't trust foster parents, but then when they do get good foster parents, those parents have to pass them on because they are acting out so much. Such a terrible circle, for parent and child.

Much love.

EDIT: And this may sound crazy, but you could consider trying to sound proof the room his cage is in some so that the neighbors are less likely to hear him as well. http://www.toptenreviews.com/software/articles/how-to-soundproof-a-room-on-a-budget/

 

[plumsmum2005]

Just a thought, would some outdoor space please him? If he can be out in an aviary which isnt something that you knock up in five minutes I know? Just an idea.

 

[Siobhan]

I have considered that, but we have a lot of hawks in our area, and he ducks and cringes when they fly by the house and he's indoors. I don't know what he'd do if he were outdoors and one flew over. He even ducks when mourning doves fly too close to the windows. We have several bird-feeding stations in the front yard and we sit on the enclosed front porch with him and "watch Bird TV" as we call it, and he loves doing that, but he's still kind of nervous about all those creatures flapping around.

 

[Freebird1969]

Siobhan, how long have you had Rocky? Do you know how old he is?
He sounds very similar to how Oliver used to be, he had a horrendous 10 year start to life before he was rescued by my friend, because of this he was the most nervous bird you could ever meet. It took him 2 years to settle with me and he has very slowly transformed from a nervous wreck into quite a confident and loving bird. He still kicks off when he see’s a Red Kite fly over, but that’s normal for any bird wanting to sound the alarm when they sense danger ahead.
I really hope you manage to work through this noise issue, otherwise these behavioural issues will just continue to get worse with every home. I really believe these beautiful birds should never be made pets and I really hope one day breeders will stop breeding them for the pet trade.
It sounds like you have some wonderful enrichment toys for him, I do wonder if he is getting enough sleep though. There will always be times when he has squawking fits, that is a Cockatoo trait but he should not be doing it constantly.

Have you ever heard of the Chloe Santurary? A guy called Don Scott runs it and he has done some really informative video's that might help you. He is also great for advise too. It might be worth you checking him out, especially his video casts.

Cockatude - The Chloe Sanctuary for Parrots and Cockatoos

https://www.facebook.com/TheChloeSanctuary/

 

[Siobhan]

We've had Rocky just over two years. He has gotten over many of his fears but he has almost as many left. I know he's going to have squawky times over the course of a day. So do my other birds. If he had his squawk and got over it, like they do, it would be understandable. We have no idea how old he is, but he is an adult and not a baby, and he's probably in his teens, at least. The people we got him from said he was 10. Then they said he was 15. Then they admitted they don't actually know. The people who had him before them profess to not remember where they got him and only had him a very short time. So before that, it's a mystery. I know at some point, somebody cared enough to get him a proper cage, and it's gone with him to each new home. It's an older model the company doesn't make any longer, so that gives me a place to start on how old he is, but then, it might have been bought used or they might have already had the cage from a previous bird and gave it to him, whoever they were.

 

[Kiwibird]

I am sure you will find the best solution for Rocky. I hope that is to stay with you, but even if it isn't, I'm sure you will place him in a new home carefully and thoughtfully.

Have you spoken to his AV about his issues? Perhaps the vet may have some suggestions specific to Rocky to try to implement. You might also want to ask about some of the avian supplements which claim to calm and sooth anxious birds. Avicalm has a good reputation, but I'd still get an ok from the vet to be safe: https://www.amazon.com/Avitech-1135...28&sr=8-1&keywords=avicalm+calming+supplement

 

[carolflan]

The problem is that with six other birds, who have to live in a separate area of the house because they're so much smaller than he is, don't get any attention if he screams every time we leave his line of sight. One of us has to dance attendance on him constantly or he screams. That makes it impossible to do anything else -- cook supper, go to the bathroom, refill your tea or pop, and most especially, spend time with the little birds. Even if I spend an hour with him in my lap, talking to him and playing with him, the moment I set him down and take a step away, he screams. And if you know 'toos, you know what the full-throated jungle scream is like. It hurts your ears. It gives you a headache. It makes your nerves shatter.

Even to 're home him how is the new owners going to cope with this? He will most probably be re passed again , cant u work with him? And treat his good behaviours? Maybe get him a friend of his own to spend time with?

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[Siobhan]

I am willing, but my husband is not. He issued an ultimatum last night. Rocky goes or he moves out.

 

[carolflan]

I am willing, but my husband is not. He issued an ultimatum last night. Rocky goes or he moves out.

That's a shame !

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[Kentuckienne]

Terrible problems. If you can get or borrow a copy of Sally Blanchard book about companion parrots...she has some very good advice for civilizing the little monsters. In your shoes I might try cutting back the daylight hours to twelve or less, light is stimulating. And maybe reduce rich foods from the diet if he gets any of that. Even getting some MILD sedative or anti-anxiety drug from an avian vet that understands the safety and risks. Maybe it's possible to get him back to a calm enough state to work with. But maybe he's been through too much to ever trust humans, maybe he's just very active and will drive anybody nuts eventually ....did he choose you, or did you choose him?

 

[plumsmum2005]

I have considered that, but we have a lot of hawks in our area, and he ducks and cringes when they fly by the house and he's indoors. I don't know what he'd do if he were outdoors and one flew over. He even ducks when mourning doves fly too close to the windows. We have several bird-feeding stations in the front yard and we sit on the enclosed front porch with him and "watch Bird TV" as we call it, and he loves doing that, but he's still kind of nervous about all those creatures flapping around.

Yes had the exact same with Plum after spending his first few years behind net curtains. If the top of the aviary/enclosure was covered then he may be less nervy, it works with Plum.

So very sorry to hear your latest news and the effects on you and your family.

 

[Scott]

I am willing, but my husband is not. He issued an ultimatum last night. Rocky goes or he moves out.

Very sorry to hear this. Is it a serious ultimatum or posturing?